Aerial yoga is a new but growing trend that is helping many people improve their fitness, both physically and mentally. It is a unique practice that involves hanging from supporting fabric. The sessions are designed to use your body weight with gravity as the resistance building your strength and flexibility simultaneously. At Yoga Body Shop, we offer our community the option to book group aerial yoga class events—great for team building, birthday parties or other social gatherings. Private aerial yoga sessions are also available.
According to BookRetreats, while 37 million Americans practice yoga, 15% of them want to try aerial yoga. Are you one of them? Keep reading to find out more about aerial yoga and its health benefits.
What is Aerial Yoga?
Aerial yoga, also known as anti-gravity yoga, utilizes the traditional physical postures of a yoga practice. There is, however, a significant difference. Instead of practicing from the ground, you use a silk hammock to improve your flexibility, joint mobility, strength, and alignment. It works by stretching out the body, allowing it to function better when back on solid ground.
What Are the Benefits of Aerial Yoga?
- Deeper Stretching
In aerial yoga, the hammock provides more resistance to your muscles than the ground does. For an optimum stretch, you must relax your body and accept gravity’s pull toward a deeper stretch in each pose. The hammock also allows you to hold poses longer than on the ground because your body is supported by something other than just gravity.
- Better Balance
As you perform aerial yoga poses, you’ll use gravity to help you find balance. This is why aerial yoga is a great option for improving balance. You have to work with gravity to keep upright. The more you practice this type of yoga, the better you’ll be at body control and spatial awareness.
- Improved Flexibility
In addition to helping with strength and balance, aerial yoga definitely improves flexibility. Aerial yoga can help increase strength in your core muscles, which contributes to an increase of your overall flexibility.
Flexibility is a key component of fitness, and it’s essential for the health and longevity of your body. Within aerial yoga, the acts of hanging upside down or performing inverted moves stretches out the spine and shoulders. This allows the body’s joints to move through a greater range of motion and gradually improves day-to-day posture.
- More Relaxation
Aerial yoga is also a great way to relax and focus on your breath. While holding the pose, you can tune into yourself and concentrate on how your body feels in the moment as it is suspended in the air. Having a moment to slow down and breathe deeply allows you to meditate and focus on positive thoughts just like in any other type of yoga. Differently than other classes, the silk hammocks deliver a calming cocoon effect.
Whether a beginner or a pro, practicing aerial yoga is a great option that delivers health benefits, while offering a night of fun with other yogis. If you are looking for a unique option for your next gathering, call to schedule a small group event today at Yoga Body Shop!
Considering incorporating other yoga options into your regular schedule? We can help you return to your daily life off the mat with greater strength, added flexibility and more peace. Don’t wait any longer, book a class with us today!